News

Updates on the Salisbury incident

Updated: 22 March at 6.00pm

Statement from Cara Charles-Barks, Chief Executive of Salisbury District Hospital:

“I would like to make a brief statement on the condition of the patients who were exposed to the nerve agent and are receiving hospital treatment.

I am pleased to say that Sergeant Nick Bailey’s condition has now improved and he was discharged from Salisbury District Hospital earlier this afternoon.

I personally want to wish Nick and his family well and I know that staff right across the hospital will also want me to share their best wishes.

I’m sure you’ll understand that, for reasons of patient confidentiality, I am not able to go into any further detail on Nick’s condition or his treatment.

We still have two patients here at the hospital. Their condition remains critical, but stable. Our staff will continue to work around the clock, providing them with the very best care, and we will continue to keep you updated on their progress.

In addition to these three individuals, 48 other people have sought advice from Salisbury Hospital. As a part of the community, we know how concerning the events of the past couple of weeks have been. I want to reiterate that all of these people have been assessed and provided with health advice. As Public Health England have said, the risk to the public remains low.

The hospital remains fully open and providing high quality care to the people of Salisbury and the surrounding area.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all our staff for the way in which they have responded to this incident and for their commitment, professionalism and dedication to all their patients. I am so proud to be their Chief Executive.

They have responded in the best traditions of the NHS. This is as true of our front line staff who have been providing care as it is of staff who work behind the scenes to support them.

I also want to thank the general public for their patience and understanding. Your support has been absolutely fantastic.

We also work closely with a number of other agencies and partners who have provided support and expert advice and I want to acknowledge their role in supporting us during the management of this incident.

I am immensely proud of our staff, our hospital and the way everyone has pulled together, keeping services open for all our patients.

These last few weeks have again highlighted the very best of our NHS, our staff and our community.”